Chapter 70

After Irene hung up, a sweet smile appeared on her face. "Mr. Reed," she announced, "Vice President Miss Carter would like to see you in her office."

Gilmore's parents were stunned. "Didn't Miss East say the mall only accepted established brands?" his mother exclaimed. "Why would the vice president meet Gilmore after a single phone call? Money talks, I guess."

Gilmore took a bundle of cash from the table and placed it in Irene's hand. "This is ten thousand dollars for the call," he said. "I'll give you the other ten thousand after we sign the lease."

"Thank you, Mr. Reed. You're too kind," Irene replied respectfully, pocketing the money.

Gilmore looked at his parents and Gerald. "Wait here," he instructed. "I'll be right back."

Gerald and Harlan nodded. Gilmore followed Irene from the office.

The vice president's office was on the twentieth floor. They took the elevator and walked to the office marked "Vice President's Office."

Irene adjusted her clothes and knocked twice. "Miss Carter," she called, "Mr. Reed is here."

"Come in, please!" a woman's voice responded.

The voice sounded familiar to Gilmore.

Irene opened the door. "Mr. Reed, please," she said.

Gilmore entered. A young woman in a red dress sat at her desk, reading documents. She was strikingly beautiful, her long hair cascading down her shoulders. She seemed delicate and charming.

A smile spread across Gilmore's face. He hadn't expected to see her here.

The woman finished reading and looked up. Her brow furrowed in surprise. "Gilmore? What are you doing here?"

It was Claire Carter, the vice president.

Irene, about to introduce Gilmore, was startled. "Does the vice president know Mr. Reed?" she murmured. Recovering quickly, she said to Claire, "Miss Carter, this is Mr. Reed. He wishes to rent shop number ten."

A smile touched Claire's lips. "So you're the one wanting to rent shop number ten for seventy thousand dollars a month?" she asked, looking at Gilmore.

Gilmore bowed slightly. "Indeed, it is I."

Claire and even Irene found his manner amusing.

"Irene," Claire said, "you may return to your work."

"Yes, Miss Carter," Irene replied, leaving Gilmore and Claire alone.

Gilmore sat down. "Since we know each other," he said, "let's discuss the shop."

Claire smiled. "Gilmore, you don't know how to negotiate. Raising the rent from forty thousand to seventy thousand… it seems you're practically giving me money."

"Seventy thousand a month is worth it to make my parents happy," Gilmore countered. "Besides, how do you know their restaurant won't be profitable?"

Claire was surprised by his confidence. "Tell me," she challenged, "what makes your parents' restaurant so special? How will it become the most popular brand in my mall, as you claim?"

Gilmore stood and paced. "It's simple," he declared. "It's natural and healthy. Those two characteristics alone will make it popular."

Claire looked puzzled. "Natural and healthy?"

Gilmore nodded. "My parents' food is naturally and healthily prepared. In big cities, there's no shortage of high-fat, high-calorie, high-protein food. Even those marketed as 'natural' often use inferior ingredients, preservatives, and excessive seasoning. I'm telling you, the market is starved for true natural and healthy options. Eldoria's food industry reached 427 billion dollars this year—9.5% more than last year. That market is saturated with fast food and high-fat, high-protein choices. People who want better food, healthier food, this is where the true opportunity lies."

He continued, "My parents aren't just opening a restaurant in your mall. They're going to open in every mall in Oakhaven, and build a real brand, based on this natural and healthy approach. It's the future of the industry."

Claire stared at Gilmore in admiration, impressed by his insightful and professional analysis, his clear vision. She already had a favorable impression of him from their previous encounter; now, his business acumen further captivated her.

She thought of the agreement with her family: failure to independently manage the business successfully would force her into a marriage with someone from another wealthy family. This partnership with Gilmore, this natural and healthy food concept, represented her chance for success. It could be enormously profitable, impressing her family and securing her control over the Carter assets.

She made her decision. "Gilmore," she said, "I agree to lease the shop to your parents."

Gilmore remained calm, as if he'd expected this outcome. The insights he shared about the industry were not his own; he'd seen them through his 'God's Eye.' He'd simply advanced these concepts by several years.

"Let's sign the contract now," he said.

Claire produced a document. "Take a look. Any problems?"

Gilmore's eyes widened. The cover read: "Shares Agreement for Newhaven Group." It wasn't a lease; it was a partnership agreement.

"What does this mean?" he asked, looking at Claire in confusion.